Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Hello. First off let me say I really like your website. Now I have a question. I have a stock Truvativ Touro 50/36 compact crankset with a 68x108mm BB and a 45.5mm chain line (?). And a 12-26T 9-speed cassette. I'm leaning towards a 40T chainring.

I'm trying to get the straightest chain line for this setup. Should I get a 68x107mm and run the chain ring on the outside (I'm adding 2 bash guards) or get the 68x113mm and run the chain ring on the inside?

Also, assuming I'll need chain ring bolts for a triple crankset, what size spacers? I'll be getting 2 42T BBG Super lights. Do people normally get bash guards 2T bigger? Obviously this is all new to me. I bought a 54cm Moto' Fantom CX for my introduction to cyclo-cross. Thanks for your time and expertise.

Friday, August 14, 2009

This is my 44cm 2008 Salsa Chili Con Crosso custom cross build. I attempted to build the lightest possible bike that my budget would allow. Many parts I had previously on my Ridley and just swapped them over to this cross project. Once the bike was complete the project weighed in at 16.36 pounds. I could take some weight off, putting this bike into the 15-pound weight class by switching out the Shimano Ultegra Cranks and changing the ZIPP clinchers to a tubular set.

Cross Bike Setup:

Salsa Chili Con Crosso Frame Set

$1,350

Cane Creek 110 Headset

$162

Campagnolo Record Derailleur

$550

Campagnolo Record Right Brake/Shift Lever

$290

Campagnolo Record 10 Speed Cassette

$550

Salsa Titanium Skewers

$76

Salsa Seat Clamp

$20

Ritchey WCS Handlebar

$90

Ritchey WCS 4-Axis Stem

$98

Shimano Left Brake R400 Lever

$44

Campagnolo Record 10 Speed Chain

$90

TRP Eurox Carbon Cantilever Brakes

300

ZIPP 404 Clinchers

$2,098

Fizi:k Arione Saddle

$140

USE Alien Carbon Seat Post

$160

Kenda Small Block 8 Tires

$88

Handle Bar Tap

$15

Shimano Ultegra Cranks

$240

Shimano BB

$55

Crank Brothers Candy SL

$120

FSA Cyclocross Carbon Fiber Chainguard

$95

3rd Eye Chain Watcher Chain Deflector

$10

Cables and Housing

$20

Total: $6,661.00

Special thanks to the guys at NRC in Kyle, Texas for helping me get the project race ready!